PADOVA private tour: a real treasure trove of art with historic relics of St. Anthony

The guided tour of Padua will allow you to discover its historic center full of monumental squares and buildings symbolizing the administrative and commercial power that attracts visitors and pilgrims.We start from Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe with its characteristic oval shape and with a central island, Isola Memmia.

The monumental square is one of the symbols of Padua, like the Basilica of Sant’Antonio which we visit, first focusing on the equestrian monument to Gattamelata, the bronze statue by Donatello located in the square in front of the church. The Basilica dating back to the fourteenth century is one of the largest churches in the world and is visited every year by millions of pilgrims to pray on the saint’s tomb and his relics;

we can admire the harmony of the different styles with the characteristic Romanesque-Gothic façade, the Byzantine domes and the Moorish bell towers, as well as the splendid frescoes that embellish the chapels inside the church and Donatello’s masterpiece altar.

The tour continues discovering the most important squares of the historic center such as Piazza delle Erbe which together with the nearby Piazza della Frutta square was the commercial heart of the city and today still hosts a large, very characteristic fruit and vegetable market;

in the square we can admire the imposing Palazzo della Ragione which was once the seat of the city courts and today houses the large wooden horse. A few steps away, among historic buildings and many clubs, we arrive in Piazza dei Signori square, another historic square which houses the majestic Palazzo del Capitanio and the curious Clock Tower which not only marks the hours but also the months, the tour of the sun for the zodiac, the phases of the moon and the motions of the planets.

Walking through the historic streets of the center we also cross the alleys attributable to the ancient Jewish ghetto which still retain all their charm and atmosphere of the past. The tour ends with a visit to the S. Maria Assunta cathedral, built in the 16th century based on a design by Michelangelo Buonarroti and with valuable frescoes inside; next to the Cathedral we find the Baptistery and the Bishop’s Palace.

Included:

• Walking tour with licensed tour guide

Not included:

• Scovegni chapel
• Food and drinks
• Museum tickets (optional)
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Prato della Valle (ancient horse carousel)